I spent all my summers growing up in Narragansett, Rhode Island. I still have family there, and my parents often rent a beach house for a couple of weeks, graciously letting me join them and take over their vacation time. The beach is my happy place.
One of my favorite landmarks is an old water tower just a street over from my grandparents' house. I always found it enchanting, with a fairy tale-esque and mysterious charm. One day, my grandfather took me there with my sketchpad and favorite Ebony Pencil while he brought along a folding lawn chair. He sat and watched as I drew the tower. At the time, I was a bit put out—did I really want to sit and draw while he watched me? But looking back, I realize he was nurturing my natural inclination to draw, even after years of trying to get me to throw a ball with him. I still have that drawing somewhere and plan to dig it out someday.
On my recent visit, I sat awkwardly in my car and sketched the tower in my sketchbook again. It brought back a lot of memories.
In Praise of Ebony Pencils
A quick shout-out to Ebony Pencils: they're perfect for sketching with their rich, dark lines. If you haven't tried one, I highly recommend it! I absolutely loved these things when I was a kid!
History of the Earl's Court Water Tower
While Googling the tower, I found a fascinating photo on the Library of Congress website (link: Library of Congress). It's amazing how different it looked back then!
According to Wikipedia, the Earl's Court Historic District is a residential historic area in Narragansett, Rhode Island. It centers on Earles Court, between Gibson Avenue and Noble Street, and includes several properties on adjacent streets. The district features nine residential properties developed in the 1880s and 1890s, during the height of Narragansett Pier's popularity as a summer resort. Most buildings are in the Shingle Style, designed by well-known architects. Notably, the Sherry Cottages on Gibson Avenue were designed by McKim, Mead & White, who also designed The Towers. The development on Earles Court, designed by D. J. Jardine and Constable Brothers for New York lawyer Edward Earle, features a stone water tower as its central focus.
This beautiful old water tower is a testament to the rich history and architectural beauty of Narragansett. It’s fascinating to think about how it once stood proudly as part of a bustling resort community and continues to capture the imagination today.
